421. An Eclipse To Shade The Star

421. An Eclipse To Shade The Star

It was clear that the Star was not here to seek a Retrofitter. The long corridors faded from light to pure darkness as the man strolled through the underground expanse, driven by the call of the Nexus.

The light of his hair faintly illuminated the way but never enough to reveal the walls, ceiling, or floor. He was like the only star in the night sky, travelling along a soundless void. Neither his footsteps nor his breaths made a sound as he carried a swagger seen only on those who knew exactly where they sat in the hierarchy of the living.

Stars were untouchable until only recently. Iscario’s betrayal opened the doors of scrutiny which prevented them from obeying the commands of the Nexus. The last four months had left the Stars starved for action. So, to finally be able to stretch their wings was an indescribable sensation.

The smile was impossible to scrape off his face. Eventually, he reached the halfway point. In the distance one could spot another light faintly waving away like a floating, pale ember. It was a hypnotizing dance that had little effect on the Star. As he drew nearer the light of his hair and the strange ember intensified.

He soon realized that the light was in fact the esca of an Angler Fish, dangled by a thin, transparent illicium. He spoke before the beautiful, pale face of a woman abruptly entered the limelight.

“What reason does an Eclipse have to linger in the home of a Retrofitter?” He amusedly said, never stopping as he gracefully walked past the half-naked Eclipse, dressed in only a thin layer of sticky, opaque membrane that sloshed around the parts she needed to hide the most.

“I could say the same, Star.” The Eclipse’s voice was the harmony of multiple women at once, sounding like a high-pitched violin as her long, barbed tail was held against the throat of the Star to cease his advancements. “There is no reason for your kind to be stepping foot into our depths.”

Red, bioluminescent fluids ran through her tail, creating a mesmerizing pattern as hundreds of tine bones and veins ran in parallel. Her transparent body kept her organs out for display. It was a sight that would awe even the squeamish.

The Star paused, placing a finger against the bladed tip of her tail as he tried to push it away.

“I’m here for business in accordance with the Amalgam’s Will. The ‘Head’ should now be a term universally recognized by all Ateliers.” He maintained his smile. In fact, he didn’t even consider the Eclipse to be a threat even though in truth –

“The Head. We’ve heard it as soon as the Artificer of Rupturing returned to M-A1. What we want to know is what you’re doing here.” The Eclipse warned, her blade digging into the flesh of the Star’s finger, just enough to draw a single droplet of blood.

– An Eclipse could reduce him to ribbons if they so wished.

“... Your duties as Assassins have been relinquished. As you may have heard, the Moons are now strictly governed by the Amalgam.” Understanding his position now, the Star spoke succinctly, but still kept his awfully smug grin.

“Roles being removed? Can’t hunt Moons? Hard to believe.” The Eclipse glared daggers into his back as she walked around him, her feet slapping against the cold concrete. “Moons dangerous. Go crazy frequently.”

She then dragged a finger down the man’s body, beginning from his chin and down to his pelvis like a mock dissection.

“I assure you it is the Will of the Amalgam. Failure to comply will see you joining the ranks of the Condemend. You wouldn’t want your magic stripped from you.” He said, using his free hand to flick hers away, causing a minor explosion to erupt between their fingertips. “Not like those Blood Moons and Red Giants.”

She brought her finger to her mouth and suckled on it as if it were wounded.

“... Speak more. Inflow Direct said nothing. News spread slowly. Herald not visit yet.”

Suddenly, after a brief pause, footsteps could be heard approaching them from far behind. Even within the veil of darkness they could tell who exactly this person was, judging from the scraping sounds of metal and the ethereal, blue glow of their lengthy apparel.

A young, masculine voice then spoke.

“Oh... but I am here. Never too early. Never too late. As per the Will of the Script.”

What emerged was a Herald. He used a blue-tinted great sword as a cane, dragging its forever sharpened blade across the floor.

“A Star of the Nexus, and a Moon in the same place. What the Star speaks is the truth. The Script tells me it is so. I sincerely hope you don’t mind me overseeing the transaction. It is a requirement of mine, as per the Script.”

He then clutched at his heart, elated to be faced with the living legends of Elysia.